18th century (1700 CE – 1799 CE)

During the time of gallant, brilliantly colored uniforms and orderly warfare, Europe found itself caught in a series of succession wars as Spain, Austria and Poland all found themselves without a direct heir. Warfare engulfs not only the Old Continent, but draws the Americas into their fights. The Enlightenment continued to progress intellectual thought, though soon gave rise to revolutions in the end of the period, some in which the effects would be felt for the next century. The Manchus establish rule in China, but soon found rebellions and continuous warfare, paired with famine and overpopulation, an ever-pressing issue.